25th Aug 2010
Free Laptop Notebook Schemes: What Is The Catch?
Perhaps you have seen these free laptop notebook schemes on the web and wondered how can they be making any money. This post looks at how these firms make their money back and the dangers to watch out for if you choose to join one of these programs.
Some of these programs online are justifiably scams so you do need to be weary to research the company beforehand before signing up. However, the majority are not scams. They are actually sales-lead generation programs that these companies are running. In return for the laptop notebook, you provide a wealth of information which the company then sell on to other firms as prospective sales leads.
Your first concern should be about the amount of data that needs to be provided. This usually involves a number of questionnaires that expect you to provide information about your health status, employment history, financial details, etc. This is a lot of data to be giving away.
You also need to establish the condition/brand of the laptop you will receive. In many cases they may be refurbished models (reinstalling or fixing computers that are used, perhaps only for a short period).
Next, you sign over the right for your personal information to be sold onto many other companies for research purposes or prospective sales opportunities. As a result, you would be on dozens of mailing campaigns and cold-calls fairly rapidly.
Lastly, you may need to subscribe to several associate programs (e.g. gym membership) for a set period before receiving the free laptop. If this is the case, then you will need to establish minimum subscription expectations, costs and fees of these programs (which may add up to the cost of a new laptop anyway).
In truth, you need to weigh up the benefit of getting a laptop notebook for free against protecting your personal data. As with all these type of schemes, read the terms and conditions carefully before opting in.
Perhaps you have seen these free laptop notebook schemes on the web and wondered how can they be making any money. This post looks at how these firms make their money back and the dangers to watch out for if you choose to join one of these programs.
Some of these programs online are justifiably scams so you do need to be weary to research the company beforehand before signing up. However, the majority are not scams. They are actually sales-lead generation programs that these companies are running. In return for the laptop notebook, you provide a wealth of information which the company then sell on to other firms as prospective sales leads.
Your first concern should be about the amount of data that needs to be provided. This usually involves a number of questionnaires that expect you to provide information about your health status, employment history, financial details, etc. This is a lot of data to be giving away.
You also need to establish the condition/brand of the laptop you will receive. In many cases they may be refurbished models (reinstalling or fixing computers that are used, perhaps only for a short period).
Next, you sign over the right for your personal information to be sold onto many other companies for research purposes or prospective sales opportunities. As a result, you would be on dozens of mailing campaigns and cold-calls fairly rapidly.
Lastly, you may need to subscribe to several associate programs (e.g. gym membership) for a set period before receiving the free laptop. If this is the case, then you will need to establish minimum subscription expectations, costs and fees of these programs (which may add up to the cost of a new laptop anyway).
In truth, you need to weigh up the benefit of getting a laptop notebook for free against protecting your personal data. As with all these type of schemes, read the terms and conditions carefully before opting in.
Posted by Flying Man under
Computers
No Comments »